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‘My chairman sir’: How begging, extortion have become new normal at airports
NG🏛️ PoliticsCenter10 days ago

‘My chairman sir’: How begging, extortion have become new normal at airports

The article discusses the persistent issue of begging, extortion, and harassment faced by travelers at Nigerian airports, particularly at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Despite efforts by authorities to improve conditions, especially at international terminals, these practices continue to plague passengers. American travel vlogger Sabbatical Tommy described his 2021 visit to Nigeria as 'extremely corrupt,' highlighting widespread demands for bribes at various points during his journey. Four years later, similar complaints remain, with recent reports from 2025 indicating that harassment and corruption are still common experiences for arriving passengers. One traveler recounted witnessing a man harassing a woman, claiming authority over her, while another noted that immigration staff treated passengers differently based on perceived social class.

Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority has taken disciplinary action against three of its personnel, dismissing one and demoting two, following an investigation into allegations of extortion during a monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ilorin. The incident came to light after a viral video showed three staff members allegedly engaging in unethical behavior at the Geri Alimi Roundabout on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The video sparked public outrage and led to an internal inquiry by the authority. The disciplinary measures were announced in a statement issued by Olawuyi Olalekan, the Head of Media and Public Relations of KWARTMA, on Monday. According to the statement, the three individuals were ordered to report to the Provost Department for questioning and later appeared before the Senior Staff Management Committee to address the allegations. They underwent disciplinary proceedings in line with public service regulations. The sanctions, effective from July 9, 2026, resulted in the dismissal of one employee and the demotion of the other two. Chief Executive Officer Abdullahi Oba acknowledged the public's concerns and emphasized that the actions depicted in the video did not reflect the authority’s values or operational standards. He reiterated KWARTMA’s strict stance against extortion, bribery, corruption, and all forms of misconduct. Oba stated that the disciplinary action marked a significant moment in the authority’s history, underscoring its commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism. The authority assured the public that its personnel would continue to perform their duties professionally and responsibly, adhering strictly to legal and procedural guidelines. Oba called on all staff to maintain the highest standards of conduct and warned that any further instances of misconduct would result in appropriate disciplinary measures. “There will be no sacred cows in our determination to maintain discipline, integrity and professionalism within KWARTMA,” he said. KWARTMA also reaffirmed its mission to enhance road safety, protect lives and property, manage traffic efficiently, and deliver quality services to residents of Kwara State. The disciplinary action is part of broader efforts to ensure transparency and accountability within the organization. The authority has pledged to continue monitoring and addressing any violations of its policies. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing ethical standards among public officials, particularly in areas where interactions between law enforcement and citizens can become contentious. While the video served as a catalyst for swift action, it also underscores the need for continuous oversight and public engagement to prevent such incidents from occurring. The response from KWARTMA reflects a growing emphasis on accountability in public institutions, especially in regions where reports of corruption and misconduct have been frequent. As the authority moves forward, it will likely focus on reinforcing training programs and increasing community involvement to foster trust and cooperation.

2 reports

The Punch logoThe PunchIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8013 days ago
Kwara traffic agency sacks personnel, demotes two over extortion

The Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA) took disciplinary action against three of its personnel following an investigation into allegations of extortion during a monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Ilorin. A viral video showed the personnel allegedly engaging in unethical behavior at the Geri Alimi Roundabout on June 27, 2026, prompting public concern and an internal investigation. The personnel were interrogated, appeared before the Senior Staff Management Committee, and were found culpable. One was dismissed, two were demoted, and the sanctions took effect on July 9, 2026. The CEO emphasized the authority's zero-tolerance policy toward corruption, extortion, and misconduct, stating the actions were meant to deter future violations and reinforce public trust.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of disciplinary actions taken by a state-level traffic authority against its personnel for alleged misconduct. While the issue of corruption and extortion is politically sensitive, the framing remains neutral, focusing on the authority's adherence to policies,ゼ

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a disciplinary action taken by the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Authority based on a viral video. It provides details about the investigation process, the individuals involved, and the outcomes. While no primary source document is available, the information aligns with

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the events in a neutral tone, focusing on the facts and statements made by officials. However, there is a slight editorial tilt in describing the dismissal as a 'landmark' disciplinary action, which may imply significance beyond mere factual reporting.

Vanguard Nigeria logoVanguard NigeriaIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 6510 days ago
‘My chairman sir’: How begging, extortion have become new normal at airports

The article discusses the persistent issue of begging, extortion, and harassment faced by travelers at Nigerian airports, particularly at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos. Despite efforts by authorities to improve conditions, especially at international terminals, these practices continue to plague passengers. American travel vlogger Sabbatical Tommy described his 2021 visit to Nigeria as 'extremely corrupt,' highlighting widespread demands for bribes at various points during his journey. Four years later, similar complaints remain, with recent reports from 2025 indicating that harassment and corruption are still common experiences for arriving passengers. One traveler recounted witnessing a man harassing a woman, claiming authority over her, while another noted that immigration staff treated passengers differently based on perceived social class.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of ongoing issues at Nigerian airports without overtly favoring any particular political stance. It includes direct quotes from travelers and a vlogger, providing multiple perspectives on the problem without editorializing or using biased language. The focus is

Why factuality (85): The article presents a common narrative about corruption and informal demands at Nigerian airports, citing the experience of a travel vlogger named Tommy El Forastero. While there is no primary source document, the claim aligns with multiple reports from travelers and media outlets that describe sim

Why objectivity (65): The tone of the article leans towards criticism of Nigerian airports and implies a negative perception of the country. It uses emotionally charged language such as 'extremely corrupt' and frames the issue as a defining characteristic of Nigeria, which suggests a biased perspective rather than a neut

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